The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-10-09


ieuce and was the profounder its in
fuerce on account of the extent or IT'S
outlook. Locking into some or the
productions called sermons which are poDuiar
to-day, who could imagine that all the worlds
are one universe. or THAI all order IS music all
discipline is love, and that collision ana oattie
storm and ruin, fire and hail, represent the
thought and action of Godl Such sermons To-
caiize the cross, and make 1t but Roman gaiiows
The true preacher sees the cross every where-
everywhere he sees sacrifice. priesthood, resur-
rection, immortality, and therefore every SER
mon he breaches is full of the wisdom and love
of God. The time is fully at hand when those
who are loyal to the whole purpose OF Christ
must cast discredit upon every pulpit that min
listers to human conplacency in the sense or be-
fooling it's ignorant devotees into the delusion
that whatever may become of the world they
themselves are favorites of heaven l know of
no selfshness intense and SO mis-
chievous as the selfshness of uninstructed
pety Il is hardly too much to say that the
sermons 1 am now condemning minister. and
are popular in proportion they minister. to
the ruinous love of self 1t is a poor Chris
tian;ty that cannot stand the wear and tear or
life and turn even doubt itself into an element
of spiritual nutrition. IL hearers were treated
as children, a subtle compiement might thus De
paid to their guilelessness, but they are treated
as simpletons and fools; they are not to ask
questions not to interfere in politics, not to en-
JOY amusements, not to eat and drink with puoii-
cans aud sinners. not TO comminele with the
common life around them. Against this hot
house piety evangelical Christianity Is
a pathetic protest. Evangelical Christianity
goes amongst men, studies them. loves them.
saves them-it will not divorce conscience from
reason; it will not ignore instincts which are
harmless when trained and controlled it Will not,
by false distinctions or pedautic rehnings create
innumerable offenses and establish innumerable
ecclesiastical magistrates whereby hypocrites
and bigots may obtain cheap and worthless
regulations for special insight and virtue. We
are not to live by little regulations which show
our cleverness or make a pedestal for our re-
spectapility. but by that holy love OF Christ
which does not merely shut out evil. but which
burns it with unquenchable fire.
''Mr Beecher thought he saw signs of prog
in the direction OF larger thought and
deeper charity. Some ministers are undoubt-
edly awakening to newness Of life, and are
OF Divine love revealed IT the cross of Christ,
they beginning to see how boundless a book
is the Bible when rightly interpreted, and they
recognize with moro grateful appreciation the
solemn and gracious fact that Redemption and
Providence constitute the sphere Of Divine min
istry, and equally call for reverent attention.
Such men made Mr. Beecher glad when he was
in England. Their number will increase. The
future is with them. because the future is with
truth. The people. taken az whole, can
They have not been trained to fol-
low abstract reasoning We must
then, simply revert to Christ's own method
couraging. Christianity is not only metaphys-
ical it 10 practical; it is not only practical, it is
metaphysical. But few minds can grapple with
religious metaphysics. whereas all mon can I'M
derstand practical good doing. We are guilty
OF inexcusable neglect If we fail to interpret the
religious meaning of history. and We are in very
deed preaching the gospel when we show that
God reveals himself in history as certainly and
as condsscendinely as He does in the Bible.
Along some such line OF thought Mr. Beechers
ministry faithfully proceeded, hence its wide ef-
feet and enduring influence. The two pillars OF
that ministry were the two great command
ments Of the law.
THE one man whom the church must get rid
of at all costs 10 the systematic thsologian who
attaches less value to his theology than to his
system. That man must 60. He destroys more
souls than have been ruined by all the inhdels
that ever lived. Nor IS he the less miscbievous
because he is professedly honestly uncon-
scious of his preference for system. If theology
is so systsmatized as to indicate simple nistori-
cal development and progress, no harm is done;
on the contrary a valuable contribution to re-
ligious education is made. But where system is
in any vital sense regarded as a standard of
orthodoxy, because it is first regarded as completes
and final, it is fraueht with inexpressbe mis-
chief. and 10 to be denounced by every man who
is in sympathy with the cross OF Christ.
We need an open church both at the
beginning and at the end of our Christian
training; at the beginning before the mini can
determine the contentious Of theological dispu-
tants. yet whilst the heart yearns for COM
munion with Christ: and at the end to show that
beyond all variable and antagonistic opinion
STANDS the eternal test Of brotherly confidence
and love. Between the two points wise and
generous denominations lism may do most use
full work Men who cannot meet In sectarian
relations may commune together to their marked
edlfcation in the open church we must not
be afraid of the charge OF laxity. That charge
was brought against Christ himself 1t is the
watchword of bgotry. Are men to see their
children practically driven away from Christ be-
cause they cannot determine the merits of rival
theologies2 Ia Christian communion to be the
reward OF sectarian or UNCONVENTIONAL cross-ex-
animation? Is the way to the sacramental table
through the interrogatons of catechismf
In tho name of the Savior of the world
protest against az affirmative reply being given
to these pathetic inquiries. / should carry my
protest even further and make it take effect in
tho case Of young men who have been in train
ing for the work OF the Christian ministry.
From nv point of view it is at once unreason-
abba and oppressive to require them to indorse
with the solernity Of oath the theology which
1t has taken centuries to accumulate and system
atize To give a general assent to such theol
to revere it as embodyine the results of sancti-
fed erudition is all that should be required OF
honest men, and the more so that
to 60 beyond it is to put a
severe and needless strain upon the highest
type and quality of conscience. Literal tests
may defeat themselves by their very pedantry.
For my own part, repeat. the evangelical faith
has secured my fullest assent. l believe in God
tho Father, God the Son, and God the Holy
Ghost believe that Jesus Christ is the only
Savior of the world, and that without living
interest in His sacrifice can have no forgive
ness 1 believe that human nature is not in
need of reformation, but of regen eration. In
Holy Scripture find authoritative revelation
OF the moral purpose of God ana the final stand
ard of holy and benefcent character. Here
live and labor, and here-though weaker than a
bruised reed-1 am not afraid to die"